Different Career Journeys Lead to PLT Success
November 25, 2024
Quotables
- When something happens and the power goes out, we depend on our skilled Power Line Technicians (PLTs) to bring it back on.
- It’s a challenging and rewarding career, and many of our PLTs found their way to their trade via other roles inside and outside the company.
- Our group feels and acts as if we are family, and everyone’s safety is a top priority.
We know our customers rely on us day and night to keep the lights on. When something happens and the power goes out, we depend on our skilled Power Line Technicians (PLTs) to bring it back on.
To be a PLT, you’ve got to be comfortable with the uncomfortable – heights, confined spaces, varied hours and all kinds of wild Saskatchewan weather. It’s a challenging and rewarding career, and many of our PLTs found their way to their trade via other roles inside and outside the company.
Shane Knight-Waters is an apprentice PLT based in Saskatoon. He’s spent the past 8 years with SaskPower, starting as a labourer at Boundary Dam and Shand Power Stations.
After a few years and moving across several locations, Shane secured a meter reader position in his hometown of Saskatoon. From there, he was encouraged to give the Skills Assessment and Trade Orientation (SATO) a try. SATO is a formidable hands-on skills assessment affectionately referred to by some as PLT boot camp. “Am I ever glad I did!”
Our Apprenticeship Program
At SATO, you’re evaluated on how well you complete the tasks and how suitable you are for the job. Shane considers making it through this assessment one of his most significant accomplishments.
Ashley Veitch also made the jump from another career to the PLT trade. She’s a journeyed electrician who worked on installing smart meters when she became interested in becoming a PLT. She’s completed her first 2 years of her PLT training and is working on her 3rd year as part of a crew in Regina repairing and maintaining overhead lines.
She’s one of a growing group of women working in the PLT trade at SaskPower. As part of our commitment to a more inclusive and diverse workforce, we’re promoting and cultivating gender diversity in our skilled trade professions. Ashely says she’s felt supported along her journey.
“The crew I work with is very supportive and encouraging. If you come to work with a hardworking mindset and a good attitude, you will have no trouble.”
Shane agrees. “The support from my team, and the surrounding teams and instructors, has been nothing short of top notch. Our group feels and acts as if we are family, and everyone’s safety is a top priority.”
How to Apply
If you’ve been thinking about a career in the skilled trades, you can learn about current job opportunities in various skilled trades and set up job alerts at our career page. The Journeyed Trade Powerline Technician (Apprentice) position is posted year-round, with SATO running twice a year in spring and fall. Women demonstrating their skills and abilities through an apprenticeship can apply for incentives, grants and scholarships to support their personal and professional growth.
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